USES OF WEEDS 199 



deal of potash can be obtained by burning bracken and utilis- 

 ing the ash. 1 



Ranunculus acris (Tall buttercup). Possesses a very acrid 

 juice and is sometimes used fresh as a plaster for causing local 

 irritation, as in cases of rheumatism and hip disease. Care is 

 needed in application, or it may cause ulcers, .but the plant 

 loses its virulence on dying. Withering says that beggars use 

 it to ulcerate their feet, which they expose in that state to 

 excite compassion. 2 The curious superstitions that attach 

 themselves to some plants are well exemplified in this case, 

 for Ampuleius wrote, " For a lunatic, take this wort and 

 wreathe it with a red thread round a man's neck when the 

 moon is on the wane, in the month which is called April, in 

 the early part of October, soon he will be healed ". 3 



Rhinanthus crista-galli (Yellow rattle). The plants are 

 supposed to be useful for exterminating vermin, if the seeds 

 and seed vessels are boiled in water and poured over the haunts 

 of bugs and fleas or over animals infested with lice. 4 



Rumex acetosa (Sorrel). The leaves of this plant are acid 

 and astringent, and were much cultivated in gardens for 

 eating cooked or as salads, especially in the time of Henry 

 VIII. It has, however, been almost entirely supplanted for 

 this purpose by the French sorrel, which has large succulent 

 leaves, and the native species has almost disappeared from 

 cultivation. 5 A rustic custom, which probably still survives, is 

 to serve it as sauce with roasted meat, hence the name " green 

 sauce ". The herb is also beaten to a mash and mixed with 

 vinegar and sugar. In some parts of Ireland the plant is eaten 

 with milk and fish, and is capable of souring milk, being so used 

 by the Laplanders. 4 A fine red dye is obtained by boiling the 

 dried root. In some parts of Sweden when it is difficult to 

 cultivate barley or rye, a bread made from bark and another 

 made from common sorrel often stand between the poor 

 people and starvation. 6 



A substitute for salt of lemon used to be extracted from 

 the roots in Germany and exported to England. In its pre- 

 paration the mucilaginous parts were separated by use of water 

 and pipeclay and the salt was purified by several crystallisa- 

 tions. 4 It was also much employed in making verjuice. 



1 Berry, R. A., Robinson, G. W., and Russell, E. J. (1918), " Bracken as a 

 Source of Potash," Jour. Bd. Agric., XXV, pp. i-u. 



2 Woodville, loc. cit. -Leechdoms, etc., loc. cit. 



4 Hogg and Johnson, loc. cit. 5 Lindley and Moore, loc. cit. 



6 Pratt, loc. cit. 



